Anything is better when it’s hand made! Don’t you think? Today I show you how to make a gift from the heart!

I love working in mixed media, but find it especially rewarding when it’s functional. My friends know that when I give gifts, it’s generally hand made. This little gift-able pouch is a work of art in itself. It’s like getting two gifts in one!!

Hint: You can make this easily into a no-sew project by using fabric glue. The little pouches are so easy to create that you can make several in a short time and keep them on hand when you need to give a little gift.The Gift Bag and Bath Salts

Faux stones are one of my favorites to create with polymer clay. The results are stunning and the technique is easy! The bezels designed by Susan Lenart Kasmer for Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ make it so easy to get the look of inlaid turquoise without having to use a lot of tools. It’s a wonderful way to get the look of real stones without the cost or making the piece excessively heavy to wear. This is one of the techniques that I share in my book “Making Beads with Polymer Clay” by Cico Books.

Follow myself and two other talented designers on facebook using hashtag #2lindasandaBeck You’ll love their work too!!

Answer this question in the comments and be entered to win a Spellbinders Media Mixage bag of bezels: How would you use this technique?

When I was growing up, I played with dolls. I had two dolls I was especially fond of – a dolly I named “my Kelly doll” and another doll that my Grandpa Campbell gave to me called “Baby Beans”. I still have both of them. Those are great childhood memories.

Well, while some may say I’m too old to play with dolls, I would beg to differ. Dolls come in all forms, all styles. Art Dolls are so fun to create because you can add personal momento’s to them – making them a personal treasure.

I am especially fond of dress forms and decided to take this a step further and create an art doll. There are no wrong ways to create this doll as each one is unique and special in its own way. It’s a great way to create using bits and pieces that you have from other projects. Anything goes – just let your creativity flow.

Isn’t it amazing just how fast Monday rolls around? It’s the start to another week, so why not make it a creative one?

I really enjoy working with copper and I love the look of enamel. So I combined both of my likes in this easy to make pendant using Copper metal sheets from the Spellbinders® Media Mixáge™ line and Krylon® spray paint to create a very summery copper flower ring.

Krylon® spray paints make it easy to achieve the enameled look. I tend to spray the paint on just a little heavy and let it flow and set in the cracks and crevases. I like the worn look this gives.

Cut one circle from the copper sheet and copper mesh using the #2 (with one being the smallest) Circles Three die template. (you can make the flower as many layers as you like by using the additional size dies)

Poke a hole in the center of each circle with the needle tool

File edges smooth with nail file

Snip notches with scissors around the entire circumference of the circle. Cut off the edges and file smooth

Place copper metal circle onto the anvil/bench block and hammer a texture using the ball side of the hammer

Place into the wooden dapping tool and gently tap on the wooden punch to form the circle into a domed shape flower. Place into a deeper section and repeat creating a bigger domed effect.

Paint copper and wire mesh with desired color spray paint.

Ruffle wire mesh circle with your fingers.

Thread bead onto a balled headpin, followed by mesh circle and copper circle.

Create a loop in the bottom with round nose pliers to secure

Glue on to ring base with silicone jewelry glue and allow to dry.

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